Trying to get better at dogfight maneuvering, would appreciate any tips

[Jakai]

I've been searching all over for resources and guides on basic dogfighting techniques and procedures for games like this one, but I've had very little success. I know an okay amount of maneuvers and whatnot, but most of my experience is in Ace Combat and Project Wingman, so I've quickly learned that what I know from those games doesn't exactly translate well to this one.

The main issue I'm having is being able to turn faster than the enemy and getting behind them. Hell, I can't even turn at the same speed and meet them head on without my screen going dark from the Gs. I've been running the dogfighting practice mission from the workshop, same plane as the AI on guns only, and I can never seem to turn as quick. I always end up being the one chased before getting shot down. I've tried using my air brake before and during turns, keeping my throttle at different levels in general, trying with flight assist on and off... None of it seems to make a difference for me.

I'm pretty much at my wits end. I'd be super grateful for any advice and information from those of you that are good at dogfighting and maneuvering in general. If it helps to know, I play on both controller and a T Flight Hotas X, but I plan on upgrading to a T.16000M soon. Thanks a bunch.

[IxianMace]

Trying to win a turning fight (a rate/energy war) with the AI is mostly futile if you're in the same aircraft, as the AI is not affected by G forces and will easily push its aircraft to its limits regardless of the effect it would have on the pilot. As you've found, you on the other hand will have to ease off on your turns in order to not black out, giving the advantage to your opponent.

Instead of getting into a two-circle fight with the AI, I suggest you go for a one-circle fight and try to cause your opponent to overshoot.

I got into a few dogfights in this video. Maybe you can get some ideas by looking at what I did in these situations.
https://youtu.be/mqCK4TVpHAg?t=618

10:18 - T/A-30 vs KR-67
I begin defensive and manage to get behind my attacker. However, I'm not equipped for air-to-air, so all I can do is maintain the advantage and wait for help.

1:37:00 - KR-67 vs FS-12
I assist a friendly aircraft before merging into a 1 vs 1 with an FS-12. I noticed the second FS-12 late and got lucky that I wasn't riddled with bullets before pulling into the climb.

[Spazz6768]

Turn fighting isn't the only way to win a dogfight. In physics based flight games energy retention and positioning are the name of the game. Speed is life and as long as you're going faster than your opponent you can dictate the fight. One of the most classic dogfighting tactics is known as the "boom and zoom." Basically come in for a high speed pass with your cannon on the enemy and instead of merging with them simply disengage on your follow through line at the maximum possible speed. Once you're a safe distance away set up for another pass. Rinse and repeat until they're dead. Each time you make a pass they either have to pray you miss or dodge and any dodge they make slows them down further giving you an additional advantage for the next pass.

[Rookie]

Originally posted by IxianMace:

Trying to win a turning fight (a rate/energy war) with the AI is mostly futile if you're in the same aircraft, as the AI is not affected by G forces and will easily push its aircraft to its limits regardless of the effect it would have on the pilot. As you've found, you on the other hand will have to ease off on your turns in order to not black out, giving the advantage to your opponent.

Instead of getting into a two-circle fight with the AI, I suggest you go for a one-circle fight and try to cause your opponent to overshoot.

I got into a few dogfights in this video. Maybe you can get some ideas by looking at what I did in these situations.
https://youtu.be/mqCK4TVpHAg?t=618

10:18 - T/A-30 vs KR-67
I begin defensive and manage to get behind my attacker. However, I'm not equipped for air-to-air, so all I can do is maintain the advantage and wait for help.

1:37:00 - KR-67 vs FS-12
I assist a friendly aircraft before merging into a 1 vs 1 with an FS-12. I noticed the second FS-12 late and got lucky that I wasn't riddled with bullets before pulling into the climb.

Thanks for the video. The game looks really tense , but only 1 dogfight in the 3 hour vid? Also how come you didn't shoot the enemy at the 10min mark? You jet doesn't even have machine guns?

[IxianMace]

Originally posted by Rookie:

Thanks for the video. The game looks really tense , but only 1 dogfight in the 3 hour vid? Also how come you didn't shoot the enemy at the 10min mark? You jet doesn't even have machine guns?

Dogfights are rare because in order for them to happen, I have to go out of my way to get into them most of the time, and there are safer and faster options when it comes to destroying hostile aircraft. Either that, or I messed up somewhere.

The aircraft I was flying at the 10-minute mark is capable of carrying air-to-air missiles and guns, but it doesn't have an inbuilt gun, and the loadout I took specialised in attacking ground targets.